Daily Devotionals
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 (Aminta)
Last week, my breakfast club had its final meeting of the year. We fed over 170 students and even got to do a send-off tribute for over 50 seniors who were graduating. Praise God for all he is doing in the next generation!
As I thought about the last message I wanted to share to the students being sent into the world, I decided to share with them the advice my dad gave me in high school. It has served me well, so I thought I would also share it with you today.
Go out there and W.I.N.!
That’s right- make it your goal to win!
Not in the traditional sense though… I’m not encouraging you to go make sure you are first place in all you do. I mean W.I.N. as an acronym for what is really important.
The “W” stands for work hard. Colossians 3:23-24 says: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”
In life, there will inevitably jobs and tasks that we don’t want to do or aren’t appreciated or compensated well for doing. As followers of Jesus, we have an opportunity to view EVERYTHING we do as an offering to God, no matter how small or insignificant. In that light, we can work to the best of our ability in order to bring God glory. Even if we aren’t appreciated, seen, or respected for it.
We work hard for God!
The “I” stands for imitate Christ. We live in a world of “influencers” in which people try to copy celebrities and athletes. There is a desire to be like the rich and famous and powerful.
Being like Jesus is so different! One of the most powerful examples Jesus left for us to follow is found in John 13:3-5:
“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.
So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”
Jesus has all authority and he chose to serve. He washed feet… the lowest of the jobs. What a heart he had for others! We can imitate his mindset and serve the people around us.
Finally, the “N” stands for number are second. So often, success is defined by the amount of money we make at our jobs, or the size of our investments or the title we hold at our job. We chase numbers! Instead of going after those things, we can love people as our goal!
Matthew 22:37-40 explains: “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
Make love your highest goal! Measure success not by numbers, but instead by how much time and treasure you put into the world around you. Make it your goal to love people with your actions every.single.day. You can send out a text or bible verse to someone going through a difficult time, or you can drop off a meal. You can clean up after your family for the millionth time or give a giant hug when they walk through the door.
W-Work Hard
I - Imitate Christ
N - Numbers are second
Let’s go WIN!
We are better together.
Mint
As I thought about the last message I wanted to share to the students being sent into the world, I decided to share with them the advice my dad gave me in high school. It has served me well, so I thought I would also share it with you today.
Go out there and W.I.N.!
That’s right- make it your goal to win!
Not in the traditional sense though… I’m not encouraging you to go make sure you are first place in all you do. I mean W.I.N. as an acronym for what is really important.
The “W” stands for work hard. Colossians 3:23-24 says: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”
In life, there will inevitably jobs and tasks that we don’t want to do or aren’t appreciated or compensated well for doing. As followers of Jesus, we have an opportunity to view EVERYTHING we do as an offering to God, no matter how small or insignificant. In that light, we can work to the best of our ability in order to bring God glory. Even if we aren’t appreciated, seen, or respected for it.
We work hard for God!
The “I” stands for imitate Christ. We live in a world of “influencers” in which people try to copy celebrities and athletes. There is a desire to be like the rich and famous and powerful.
Being like Jesus is so different! One of the most powerful examples Jesus left for us to follow is found in John 13:3-5:
“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.
So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”
Jesus has all authority and he chose to serve. He washed feet… the lowest of the jobs. What a heart he had for others! We can imitate his mindset and serve the people around us.
Finally, the “N” stands for number are second. So often, success is defined by the amount of money we make at our jobs, or the size of our investments or the title we hold at our job. We chase numbers! Instead of going after those things, we can love people as our goal!
Matthew 22:37-40 explains: “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
Make love your highest goal! Measure success not by numbers, but instead by how much time and treasure you put into the world around you. Make it your goal to love people with your actions every.single.day. You can send out a text or bible verse to someone going through a difficult time, or you can drop off a meal. You can clean up after your family for the millionth time or give a giant hug when they walk through the door.
W-Work Hard
I - Imitate Christ
N - Numbers are second
Let’s go WIN!
We are better together.
Mint
